The World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally is considering upgrading one Technical and Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) centre to train top notch rally mechanics, in Nakuru County.
Safari Rally Kenya CEO, Charles Gacheru, has said that a Centre of Excellence to train top-notch rally mechanics was a possibility that would leave a mark in the Kenyan Motorsport industry.
Speaking when the team made a courtesy call to Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, Gacheru noted that WRC was the biggest sports event in Kenya that comes to the region, with Nakuru being privileged to host.
“When the cars arrive in Kenya, they are brought straight to Nakuru at the Service Park. The top mechanics in the world get here early to receive and service the vehicles and we can plan to have them come two weeks in advance and engage them on mentorship programmes,” added Gacheru, noting that some vehicles are assembled, oiled and fueled here by the international engineers.
He added that this year, the team was considering to have the Rally Mechanics have a Children Motorsports event at Kasarani after the rally.
Governor Susan Kihika had requested the WRC to create a minisports complex in the county, to nature talents and empower locals in motorsporting.
“As the host County, we need to be fully involved in the preparations for the event and to ensure that our people fully benefit from the event in terms of roads, casual employees, food vending, entertainment and waste management. For such a high-profile event,
Hosting this event is a big deal and we want our people do feel a difference that the county hosted the rally. Nakuru County will give its best hospitality to the rally enthusiasts,” noted Kihika calling on rehabilitation of feeder roads, that were susceptible to traffic snarl-up.
Governor Kihika further appreciated the team for its intend to contribute some equipment to Naivasha Sub County Hospital, to equip it to handle emergencies during the event which will begin on March 27, 2024 and end on March 31.
Ministry of Sports Team Leader, Evans Achoki noted that the ministry had partnered with the county government to ensure safety of spectators and motorists, as well as management of the traffic during the events.
“We are hiring about 500 casual workers for the Hustler Bursar to serve during the rally and hope to have the county help us in licensing food vendors during the rally for safety,” added Achoki.
